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Economic Report

4:14 pm

Fri January 30, 2015

In this week’s Economic Report, Dr. Rick Harper discusses his recent economic column, in which he details how sales data reflect seasonal ebb and flow of tourist traffic.

“That’s an important issue for Florida,” said Harper. He notes that the central and southern portions of the state, such as Miami, Naples, Sarasota and Punta Gorda, tend to attract their highest level of visitor traffic in the January through March/April time period.

The City of Destin is now considering the possible annexation of Crab Island. Residents and city officials gathered recently to discuss that and to brainstorm ideas on how to better manage the local underwater hot spot.

Pensacon 2015

2:40 pm

Thu January 29, 2015

Pensacon 2015 is four weeks away and the City of Pensacola is already getting into the spirit. Thursday morning at Pensacola International Airport, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward stood at a podium alongside Councilman at Large Charles Bare, Pensacon Chairman Mike Ensley, as well as Darth Vader, and issued a proclamation that officially changed the name of Pensacola International Airport to Pensacola Intergalactic Airport.

Education

4:54 pm

Wed January 28, 2015

Teachers in Santa Rosa County have been working without a contract this school years as negotiations continue. County School Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick says that while it's not unusual to go into a school year without a new contract for the teachers, this year's negotiations are going longer than everyone would like. He says they have disagreement over the implementation of a performance pay schedule that's mandated by the state of Florida that is ready this year.

Tax Season

4:50 pm

Wed January 28, 2015

If you think you’re ready for tax season, but have not heard about tax identity theft, then maybe you’re not ready. The Better Business Bureau reminds everyone that this is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, tax-related was the most common form of identity theft reported in 2014, with more than 109,000 complaints.

Bernardo de Galvez , the Spanish general who defeated the British at the Battle of Pensacola in 1781, becomes a permanent part of the T.T. Wentworth Florida State Museum on Thursday.

Congressman Jeff Miller will present a Nina Fritz portrait of Galvez to the museum, which itself sits near the battle site in downtown Pensacola. Last summer, he took to the House floor to urge passage of House Joint Resolution 105, granting Galvez honorary American citizenship.

2015 Homeless Survey

5:02 pm

Tue January 27, 2015

The 2015 Point-In-Time Homeless Survey is underway around the country. The count is conducted over a 24 hour period to count sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons and to determine their most pressing needs. Locally, the 2015 survey in Okaloosa and Walton Counties was conducted on January 22. The Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless will begin its annual count on this Wednesday.

This year, the Point In Time Survey is starting a little earlier than usual, with plans for volunteers to fan out at sunrise.

4:39 pm

Tue January 27, 2015

Huron Consulting, a Chicago-based healthcare consulting firm, has acquired Pensacola-based Studer Group for a reported $325 million in cash, and $2 million in Huron stock.

The transaction creates a firm with a 1,500 member workforce and $904 million in annual revenues. Quint Studer, who owns the Group with his wife Rishy, says the deal originated in 2011, when private equity firm JMI Equity purchased a stake in The Studer Group.

Commentary

4:14 pm

Tue January 27, 2015

When most people think of Florida, they don’t think in terms of change of seasons. It’s palm trees and summer all the time. But one of the many advantages to living in Northwest Florida is that we get winter as well as summer, but not too much of it. As the latest snowy blizzard blows through the northeast, it’s a comforting thought.